CNA-SS-02-20-2015

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District 2014 Annual Report SWCD Activities Pasture Walk Dunphys June 16th

Women Caring for the Land Soil Health Conservation Meeting May 13th

Fair Display July 2014

Conservation Station Union County Fair

4-H Secrets of the Soil June 2014

Look inside for:

• Conservation and Farmstead Windbreak Awards • North Thompson River Water Quality Project • 2014 Report of District Funds • Poster Contest

Friday, February 20, 2015

Page 2c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Message from the Chairman

By Mike Eblen

Chairman, Union SWCD

Creston Field Office

Left to Right: Phil Patterson, North Thomson Watershed Project Coordinator; Jody Hitz, District Soil Conservation Aide; Wayde Ross, NRCS District Conservationist; Dixie Baker, District Secretary; Bill Bolinger, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician; Amanda McNees, NRCS Soil Conservationist and Jim Walsh, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician

NRCS AREA PERSONNEL

Jamie Carpenter, Asst. State Conservationist(FO); Kevin Kuhn, Area Resource Conservationist, Jeffrey Godwin, Civil Engineer; Kristy York, Area Program Specialist; Brian Hickman, Private Lands Biologist; and Margaret Henderson, Area Administrative Management Assistant

OTHER PERSONNEL ASSISTING THE DISTRICT

Other personnel located in the USDA Service Center in Creston are: Rick Sprague, Area 4 Grassland Specialist; Marc Zucco, Area 4 Resource Soil Scientist; Tim Mensing, Engineer, Bruce Dake, Civil Engineering Technicians; Kristen Klecker, Clerical Specialist; Jane Dawson, IT; and Randy Goerndt, DNR District Forester

Informational Websites Iowa Department of Agriculture – www.iowaagriculture.gov IDALS-Division of Soil Conservation – www.iowaagriculture.gov/soilconservation USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service – www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov Conservation Districts of Iowa – www.cdiowa.org Iowa Department of Natural Resources – www.iowadnr.gov

At the Union County Soil Conservation office we have experienced another busy year.

Statewide conserva- Eblen tion practices also saw a dramatic increase by helping 2,382 Iowa landowners install

2,714 conservation practices.

Since 2008, that is the most conservation work done and possibly a record going back to 1973 when the cost share program was started.

It was important to know that state cost share was an incentive to help these landowners. However much of the work was paid for by the landowners or farmers and that demonstrates that voluntary conservation can make a difference on our landscape. It is important to know that Iowa farmers

are very aware of the importance of protecting our natural resources.

I would like to say Thank You to Eric Forquer who retired from being a District Commissioner this year.

Eric did a fantastic job and was a valuable asset to the board.

I would also like to welcome Matt Brown to our group. Matt is taking Eric’s place and we are looking forward to working with him and know he will be a great commissioner.

The Union SWCD board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the USDA Service Center Conference Room at 7:30 A.M. Notification and Authorization to Release Information

Landowners - if you are considering selling or renting your farm or would like to authorize certain individuals to view your file, please be aware that NRCS/SWCD cannot release information contained in your Conservation Plan to anyone without your written permission.

Committed to your Agriculture Success.

Commitment you can bank on.

Creston  Main Bank  101 W. Adams St.  641.782.2195 Consumer Bank  801 W. Taylor St.  641.782.5599 Afton Bank  100 E. Railroad  641.347.8423  fnbcreston.com

L-R: Rick Schmitz, Steve Crittenden, Dan Waigand, Chris Eaton (Main), Staci Heaberlin (Afton)

Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015 — Page 3c

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners

We, the Commissioners of the Union County Soil and Water Conservation District are proud to present our annual report of activities and accomplishments for your information. As Commissioners, we are charged with the restoration and conservation of the county’s resources, but have looked to you, the landowner and land user, for ideas and action to make the duties of our job a reality. We would like to thank all those whose contributions of time and money have enabled us to carry out a successful program: soil conservation cooperators, conservation contractors and businesses.

We also wish to thank the Division of Soil Conservation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency; Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Iowa State University Extension Service; USDA Rural Development Service; Union County Board of Supervisors; Union County Conservation Board, State Legislators and many others. A special thanks goes to our local newspapers and radio station for their support.

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship/Division of Soil Conservation (IDALS/DSC) and the Union Soil and Water Conservation District are an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Pictured left to right: Commissioners – Mike Brentnall, Vicki Allen, James Allen, Mike Eblen and Assistant Commissioners – John Tapken and Steve Crittenden.

Not pictured Commissioner, Matt Brown and Assistant Commissioner, Charles Western

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Creston...

Lamb Tiling — Greenfield —

A Great Place to Visit, Work and Call Home

Tiling • Trucking Dozer • Demolition All Types of Dirt Work

CRESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 208 W. Taylor/Hwy 34 • 641-782-7021 www.crestoniowachamber.com chamber@crestoniowachamber.com

Ponds • Terraces • Conservation Work Demolition • Rock Hauling • Etc.

WENZIG

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY —Rich & Ann Wenzig—

641-782-4266 CELL 641-344-3213

— 30 Years in Business —

641.743.8312 • 515.250.8440

Proud Supporter of the Union County Soil & Water Conservation District

B

oyd Appliance Center Inc.

220 N. Pine • Uptown Creston, IA • (641) 782-2163

Selling Amana, KitchenAid, Maytag, Frigidaire, Electrolux, Speed Queen and Traeger Grills

Servicing most makes and models ~ Locally Owned and Operated Weekdays: 8:30-5:30 • Saturdays: 9:00-12:00

This is a program Practices that eligible landowners borrow up to $20,000 at no interest for up to Jobscan Amt Installed Cost Share No Interest Loan Program a ten-year period to construct permanent soil conservation practices.

FS Windbreaks 3 3 Ac $3,940.58 that eligible at no interest f Page 4c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015This is a program Timber Stand Implandowners 2 can borrow 26.3 Acup to $20,000 2,589.00 Completed in 2014 a ten-year period to construct permanent practices. $700.00 Windbreak FenceJobs soil 1conservation 50 Rd 2014 Financial Report TOTAL Spent $7,229.58 2014 Financial Report Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Jobs Completed in 2014 Terraces 5 21,382 Ft $92,759.25 No No Interest Loan Program 1-M FUNDS 2014 Financial 2014 Financial ReportReport Interest Loan Program Gr Waterway 1 3 Ac 20,000.00 1-M FUNDS This isPractices a program that eligible landowners can borrow up to $20,000 no interest for up (Commissioners Expenses and Office Supplies and Expenses) Jobs Amt Installed Costat This is a program that eligible landowners can borrow up to $10,000 atShare no interest for TOTAL Spent $112,759.25 (Commissioners Expenses and Office Supplies and Expenses) a ten-year period to construct permanent soil conservation practices.

Commissioners Mileage and Expenses $ 1,051.05 1-M FUNDS Terraces 5 21,382 Ft practices. $92,759.25 up to a ten-year period to construct permanent soil conservation 1-M FUNDS Commissioners Mileage and Expenses $ 1,051.05 Postage 527.08 (Commissioners Expenses and Office Supplies and Expenses) Gr Waterway 1 3 Ac 20,000.00 (Commissioners Expenses and Office Supplies and Expenses) Jobs Completed in 2014 Postage 527.08

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District

Supplies 66.49 Local Water Protection Program TOTAL Spent $112,759.25 Commissioners Mileage and Expenses $ 850.00 1,051.05 Supplies 66.49 Dues Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share This is a program which provides low-interest loans (no more than 3%) for the installation of Postage 527.08 Dues 850.00 Miscellaneous 47.50 conservation practices Terraces 5 21,382 $92,759.25 that enhance water quality.

The loan Ftamount may be from $5,000 to Miscellaneous 47.50 Supplies 66.49 $500,000 and may be Total 1-M Expenditures $ 2,542.12 up to fifteen years. used alone to20,000.00 fund a conservation Gr for Waterway 1 It may be 3 Ac Total 1-M Expenditures $ 2,542.12 Dues 850.00 practice or in conjunction Local Water Protection Program with other cost share programs. The Union SWCD has spent over $3 TOTAL Spent $112,759.25 million the program in FYlow-interest 2006.

Miscellaneous 47.50 This is a since program which began provides loans (no more than 3%) for the install Local Water Protection Program Total 1-M Expenditures $ 2,542.12 3-M BUDGET conservation practices that enhance water quality.

The loan amount may beinstalfrom $5 is a program provides low-interest loans (no more than 3%) for the isThis the dollar amountwhich of Low Interest Loans used in Program Union County: 3-M BUDGET Local Water Protection Iowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP) - Cost Share$500,000 50% Following and may be for up to fifteen years.

It may be used alone to fund a cons lation of conservation practices enhance water quality.

The loanFYamount be from 3-M BUDGET FY 2006 which FY 2007thatlow-interest FY 2008 FY 2009 2010formay Iowa Financial Incentive (IFIP) - Cost 50% This is a program provides loans (no more than 3%) the installation Iowa Financial Incentives Cost Share withProgram private landowners is Share the cornerstone ofin soil and practice or conjunction with other cost share programs.

The Union SWCD has spent $5,000 to $500,000 and may be –for up to fifteen It may used alone– to fund a con7/1/057/1/06 7/1/07 – years.

7/1/08 – be 7/1/09 Iowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP) - Cost Share 50%cornerstoneconservation Iowa Financial Incentives Cost Share with private landowners is program’s the of soil and practicesorthat enhance water quality.

The loan amount may beSWCD from has $5,000 er conservation practice application in3-M Iowa and evidence of the effectiveness can servation practice in conjunction with other cost share programs.

The Union million the program in FY 2006.6/30/08 6/30/09 6/30/10 Iowa Financial Incentives Cost Share withBUDGET private landowners theprogram’s cornerstone ofsince soil ter conservation practice application in Iowa and erosion evidence of isthe effectiveness can6/30/06 $500,000 and may began be for 6/30/07 up to fifteen years. It may be used alone to fund a conservati seen across theconservation landscape in terraces, waterways, control structures and other spent ove$25,790.73 $3 million since the program began in FY$327,824.72 2006. $526.615.39 Iowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP) Cost Share 50% $222,174.57 $273,000.73 and water practice application in Iowa and evidence of the program’s effecpractice or in conjunction with other cost share programs.

The Union SWCD has spent over seen across the landscape in terraces, waterways, erosion control structures and other servation practice applications the dollar amount of Low Interest in UnionCounty: County: is the dollar amount of Low Interest LoansLoans usedused in Union wa Financial Cost Share with privatewaterways, landowners is control theFollowing cornerstone ofFollowing soil and tiveness canIncentives be seen across the landscape in terraces, erosion structures million since theis program began in FY 2006. nservation practice applications Union County has been given allocations totaling over $4 for use ineffectiveness cost sharingFYcan 2011 FY 2007 2012 FY2013 and other conservation practice applications conservation practice application in Iowa and evidence ofmillion the program’s FY 2006 FY FY 2008 FY2014 FY 2009 FY 2015 FY 2010 Union County has been given allocations totaling overprogram $4 million for use in cost sharing permanent soil and water conservation practices since the was started in 1973.

7/1/10 – 7/1/11 – 7/1/12 – 7/1/14 7/1/14 7/1/09 – Following is the dollar amount of Low Interest Loans used in–Union Union County has been given allocations totaling over $4 million for use in cost sharing en across the terraces, waterways, erosion control structures other 7/1/057/1/06 – 7/1/07 – 7/1/08 – County: – permanent soillandscape and waterin conservation practices since the program was startedand in 1973.

6/30/10 6/30/12 6/30/2013 6/30/14 12/31/14 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 on permanent soil and water conservation practices since the program was started in 1973.

6/30/06 6/30/07 6/30/08 6/30/09 $14,136.00 6/30/10 rvation practice applications Jobs Completed in 2014 $551,085.02 7/1/05- $597,746.06 7/1/06 – $261,443.22 7/1/07 – $125,102.16 7/1/08 – 7/1/09 – Completed inInstalled 2014 $526.615.39 Union CountyPractices has been givenJobs allocations totaling over $4 million for use in cost$25,790.73 sharing6/30/06$222,174.57 $327,824.72 6/30/07 $273,000.73 6/30/08 6/30/09 6/30/10 Jobs Amt Cost Share Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share rmanent Grade soil and water conservation practices since the program was started in 1973. $25,790.73 $222,174.57 $273,000.73 $327,824.72 $526.615.39 Stab Structure 6 6 EA $31,962.50

Grade Stab Structure 6 6 EAFt $31,962.50 Terraces 21 50,392 103,661.75 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY 2015 Terraces 21 50,392 Ft 103,661.75 Jobs Completed in 2014 FY–2012 FY2013 FY2014 – FY 7/1/14 2015 – Grassed Waterway 1 3 Ac 5,500.00 7/1/10 –FY 2011 7/1/11 7/1/12 – 7/1/14 Grassed Waterway Ac 5,500.00 7/1/11 – 7/1/12 – 7/1/14 – 7/1/14 – Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Water & Sediment Basin 21 83 Ea 7,500.00 6/30/107/1/10 – 6/30/12 6/30/2013 6/30/14 12/31/14 6/30/10 6/30/12 6/30/2013 6/30/14 12/31/14 WaterStab &TOTAL Sediment 26 86Ea 7,500.00 Grade StructureBasin EA $31,962.50 $148,624.25 $14,136.00 $551,085.02 $597,746.06 $261,443.22 $125,102.16 $14,136.00 $551,085.02 $597,746.06 $261,443.22 $125,102.16 $148,624.25 Terraces TOTAL 21 50,392 Ft 103,661.75 3 Mile Lake – Public Owned Lakes 3 Mile Lake - Public Owned Lakes REAP Grassed Waterway 1 - Practices 3 Ac 5,500.00 This program isprogram for watershed areas above publicly andlakes reservoirs Only lakes or This is for watershed areas aboveowned publiclylakes owned and reservoirs.

Only REAP - Practices REAP Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funds are available to landowners fororsoil reservoirslakes having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area rationof less than 80 to 1 and owned Water & Sediment Basin 2 8 Ea 7,500.00 reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to Resource Enhancement andSoil Protection (REAP) funds are available topriority landowners for soil Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funds are designate available tohigh landowners forwatersheds by an iowa county, municipal government or by the state of iowa Following are water conservation practices. conservation districts 1 and owned by an Iowa county, municipal government or byare theeligible. state of Iowa are eligible.

TOTAL $148,624.25 soil and waterfunds conservation SoilUnion conservation districts designate high priority d water conservation practices.

Soil conservation districts designate high watersheds practieds that haveare been completed in Union County in in 2014. which the REAP can be practices. expended.

County has designated thepriority Platte River Following practices that have been completed Union County in 2014. watersheds which REAP funds can beUnion expended.

Union has designated theRiver which the fundsthe can be expended.

County hasCounty designated the Platte tershed asREAP theirinpriority watershed.

REAP Practices Platte River Watershed as their priority watershed. atershed as their priority watershed.

Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Amt Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funds are available to landowners for soil Terraces 1 3950 Ft $ 12,000.00 3 Mile Lake – Public Owned Lakes Jobs Completed in 2014 Grade Stab 2 above 2 Ea lakesLakes 17,160.35 This program is forStr watershed areas publicly owned and reservoirs Only lakes or Jobs Completed in 2014 designate high priority water conservation practices. Soil conservation districts watersheds 3 Mile Lake – Public Owned This program is for watershed areas abovearea publicly owned less lakes than and reservoirs.

Onlyowned lakes o reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface rationof 80 to 1 Only and TOTAL $ 29,160.35 ich the REAP funds can be expended.

Union County has designated the Platte River This program is for watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs lake Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to 1 and by an iowa county, municipal government or by the state of iowa are eligible.

Following areown Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share rshed as their priority watershed. by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the state of Iowa are eligible.

Following are This program is for watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs.

Only lak reservoirspractieds having that a watershed acreage-to-lake area rationof less than 80 to 1 and o 12 MileUnion - Lakesurface Public Owned Lakes Terraces 4 7,700 Ft $20,891.00 have been completed County in 2014. practices that have in been completed in 2014.

Terraces 4 7,700 Ft $20,891.00 reservoirs having a watershed acreage-to-lake surface area ration of less than 80 to 1 and This program is forgovernment watershed areas above publicly owned lakes and reservoirs.

Only W/S Basin 1 1 EA 1,755.00 by an iowa county, municipal or by the state of iowa are eligible.

Following 12 Milegovernment Lake - acreage-to-lake Public Lakes W/S Basin 1 EA 1,755.00 anlakes Iowaorcounty, municipal or byOwned the state ofarea Iowa areCost eligible. reservoirs having a watershed surface ration ofCost less thanFollowing 80 to Practices Jobs Amt Installed Share Jobs 1Completed in 2014 Windbreak 11 Ac 900.00 bythat Practices Jobs County Installed Share Amt practieds have been completed in Union inAmt 2014.

Terraces 4 20,150 Ft $ 74,473.41 Windbreak 1 1 Ac 900.00 practices that have been completed in 2014.

1 and owned by an Iowa county, municipal government or by the state of Iowa are eligible.

Terraces 1 3950 Ft $ 12,000.00 Fence 1 35 Rd 491.25 Gr Waterway 2 5 Ac 6,098.78 Fence 35Installed Rd 491.25 Following are practices that have been 2014.

Grade Stab StrGrade 2 completed in 2 Installed Ea1 EA 17,160.35 Practices Jobs Amt Cost Share Practices Stab Structure 1Amt 17,953.35 Regeneration 11 21.8 Ac 2,616.00 Jobs Cost Share Am Practices TOTAL Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share Regeneration 14 21.8 AcFt 2,616.00 $98,525.54 TOTAL $ 29,160.35 Terraces 7,700 $20,891.00 TOTAL $26,653.25 Terraces 1 3950 Ft $ 12,000.00 Terraces 4 20,150 Ft $ 74,473.41 TOTAL $26,653.25 W/S Basin 1 1 EA 1,755.00 Grade Stab Str 2 2 Ea 17,160.35 Gr Waterway 2 5 Ac 6,098.78 Grasses) Windbreak REAP-F (Forestry/Native 1 1 Ac 900.00 TOTAL $ 29,160.35 12 Mile Lake1 - Public1Owned Lakes Grade Stab Structure EA 17,953.35 Since 1990 the District has received funding for the Resource Enhancement and ProtecFence 1 35 Rd 491.25 TOTAL $98,525.54 tion (REAP-F) program. These funds are used to support practices to promote the installa-

Regeneration 1 and farmstead 21.8windbreaks.

Ac tion of woodlands, native grasses and forbes, TOTAL

Jobs Completed in 2014

2,616.00 $26,653.25

District Funds District Funds

1, 2014 –31, December 31, 2014 2014– December 2014 12 MileJanuary Lake1,-January Public Owned Lakes District’s Regular Checking Account

Balance brought forward January 1, 2014

$53,217.65

Practices Jobs Amt Installed Cost Share RECEIPTS + $33,261.05 EXPENDITURES - $61,803.74 FS Windbreaks 3 3 Ac $3,940.58 $24,674.96 Balance ending December 31, 2014 Timber Stand Imp 2 26.3 Ac 2,589.00 District Funds REAP-F (Forestry/Native Grasses) Windbreak Fence 1 50 Rd $700.00 REAP-F (Forestry/Native Grasses) 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014 ce 1990 the District hasSpent received funding for the Resource Enhancement and Protection SpecialJanuary Watershed Checking Account TOTAL $7,229.58 nce 1990 the District has received funding for the Resource Enhancement Protection Balance January 1, 2014 $ 1,162.80 EAP-F) program. These funds are used to support practices to promote theand installation of RECEIPTSAccount + .46 EAP-F) Theseand funds are used to supportwindbreaks. practices to promote the installation ofRegular Checking District’s odlands,program. native grasses forbes, and farmstead EXPENDITURES - $ 00.00 No Interest Loanwindbreaks.

Program odlands, native grasses and forbes, and farmstead Balance brought forward January 2014 $53,217.65 Closed account1,9/25/14 - - $1,163.38 This is a program that eligible landowners can borrow up to $20,000 at no interest for up to RECEIPTS + $33,261.05 Balance December 31, 2014 $ 00.00 ten-year period to construct permanent soil conservation practices.

EXPENDITURES - $61,803.74 REAP-F (Forestry/Native Grasses) $24,674.96 Balance ending December 31, 2014

Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015 — Page 5c

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District By: Vince Sitzmann

Field Services Bureau Chief Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – Division of Soil Conservation

In the U.S., Iowa ranks number one in the production of eggs, pork, soybeans, and corn, and number two in beef. If Iowa were a country, it would be the third largest producer of corn in the world. That’s pretty amazing considering Iowa is only 36 million acres in size with only 25 million acres dedicated to row crop production.

These are impressive num-

bers by any standards, but equally important is the conservation ethic Iowa farmers subscribe Sitzman to. Farmers throughout the state spend millions of dollars annually out of their own pockets to install conservation practices on their land, which makes them leaders in conservation implementation as well as leaders in ag production.

Two years ago, Iowa unveiled the Nutrient Reduc-

tion Strategy (NRS). This was the first plan of its kind in the nation, aimed at reducing nutrient losses to the Gulf of Mexico. The strategy was pioneered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University, and the Iowa DNR. It incorporates the best science and research we have available and it was built for Iowa. Shortly after the Nutrient Reduction Strategy was released, implementation of the plan was launched and is known today as the Water Quality Initiative (WQI).

Over the past two years we continue to see exciting

momentum for the WQI. Iowans are engaged, new partnerships are expanding, and farmers are implementing conservation practices they’ve never tried before.

The Nutrient Research Center at ISU has been established with the purpose of pursuing a science based approach to nutrient management research.

The Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA) partnership between the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, and the Iowa Pork Producers has been established, each committing one million dollars annually over the next five

years to advance the implementation of the WQI. The Iowa Legislature has also committed 16.8 million dollars over the last two years to support conservation and water quality improvements both in special project areas and for statewide practice implementation.

We have made great strides through the voluntary approach to conservation, but we have to keep the momentum growing by exploring more and different types of conservation practices on the landscape. We have new and emerging technologies in addition to our traditional conservation practices that

will improve our nutrient management efforts. I would encourage everyone to evaluate their farming operation and ask yourself if there is more you can do on your farm. Solving water quality issues is something everyone has to be a part of if we are to continue our leadership role in ag production and conservation implementation. If you are interested in learning more about the NRS or the WQI you can visit www. cleanwateriowa.org or stop into your local SWCD to learn how you can be part of this important initiative.

SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION BUSINESS DIRECTORY EARTHWORK & TILE

EARTHWORK

Eblen Construction Inc.

Cook Construction Bryan Cook

SUPPLIES Farm & Home Supply 408 S. Sumner Creston, IA 50801 641-782-2317

116 N. Taylor Mount Ayr, IA 50854 641-464-3991

1676 E. Adams, Creston, IA 50801 641-782-4029 641-344-0793 (Don’s Cell) 641-344-3796 (Mike’s Cell)

2005 Hwy. J-23, Diagonal, IA 50845 641-340-2324 (Cell)

David Downey Construction

1806 140th , Diagonal, IA 50845 641-344-2997

1000 E. Mills • Creston 641-782-7202

K.M. King, Inc. Kevin King

SURVEYING

2429 Tulip Ave., Afton, IA 50830 641-340-0219

Giza Construction Jesse Giza 301 W. Union Street, Creston, IA 50801 641-344-3072 (Cell)

Jordan & Sons Construction 2926 130th St., Lenox IA 50851 641-340-5805 641-333-4259

Lamb Tiling 2751 Marion Avenue, Greenfield, IA 50849 641-743-8312 515-250-8440 (Cell)

Ruth Construction 206 N. Broad, Orient, IA 50858 641-344-9690 (Cell)

JL Construction

306 N. Sumner, Creston, IA 50801 641-782-8063 641-344-7328

Wenzig Construction Company 1542 Beechwood Avenue, Creston, IA 50801 641-782-4266 641-344-3213 (Cell)

TILE Magnum Trenching System 2488 Tulip Avenue, Lenox, IA 50851 641-333-4462

Gerald Kinyon Construction 1431 Uban Avenue, Creston, IA 50801 641-345-2853 641-344-0739 (Cell)

Farmers Cooperative Co.

Mid-State Surveying Jim Norman & Greg Shawler 500 E. Taylor, Creston, IA 50801 641-782-4004

FINANCE First National Bank 101 W. Adams Creston, IA 641-782-2195 877-782-2195

100 E. Railroad Afton, IA 641-347-8423

REAL ESTATE R Realty 114 North Elm Creston, IA 641-782-9408

Page 6c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District

2014 Award Winners The annual Union Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Awards Banquet was held February 10th.

Four awards in recognition of efforts to protect and improve the natural resources in Union County were presented to landowners by the commissioners.

Owner Operator Award Jeromy and Laurel Burgmaier are the winners of the Owner Operator Award for 2014. They used summer constriction incentives to install 4250’ terraces, waterways and field borders on a farm purchased in 2014.

They also use crop rotatations and conservation tillage to protect and improve their cropground.

Steward of the Land Award The Steward of the Land Award Winner for 2014 is Jack Miller. He has taken 150 acres in Lincoln Township, section 8 and made many improvements. When Jack moved to the farm in 1961, everything was farmed up and down the hill. Now everything is contoured.

Through the state and federal cost share programs he has installed 3,000 feet of terraces, 5.3 acres of grassed waterways, and 8.8 acres of buffer strip around a 12 Mile watershed structure.

Mr. Miller uses a corn bean rotation on ridge tops. On the side hills he uses a bean, corn oats and three years of meadow. A combination of no-till and mulch tillage leaving at least 30% residue is used on the cropland.

Established Farmstead Windbreak Award The Union County SWCD Commissioners selected Steve and Pat Kline to receive the 2014 Established Farmstead Windbreak Award. In the spring of 2000, they planted 40 Colorado Blue Spruce and Norway Spruce. Eastern Red Cedar trees were put in the outside row. They were able to utilize the REAP program to help defray costs. This windbreak has provided protection from wind and snow for their farmstead for many years.

Newly Established Farmstead Windbreak Award The Newly Established Farmstead Windbreak Award was presented to Rob and April Evans and family. In the spring of 2011, they planted 28 bush arborvitaes, 16 Norway Spruce and 14 Canaan firs..

The windbreak consists of three rows. The windbreak will be protection for their building site for many years.

Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015 — Page 7c

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District 12 Mile Lake Watershed Project The Union SWCD completed a watershed management plan for Twelve Mile Lake in 2011 with funding assistance from the Iowa Division of Soil Conservation. The lake is a drinking water source for the city of Creston and SIRWA and had been experiencing algae blooms and increased water treatment costs. During the last three years, the district has received funds from the Watershed Improvement Review Board (WIRB) and Publicly Owned Lakes as well as USDA programs such as EQIP and CRP to install conservation practices in the watershed.

Since July 2013, 5 grade stabilization structures, 5 water and sediment control basins, 7.1 acres of wa-

terways, 6 acres streamside filter strips, and 25,500’ of terrace have been constructed. These practices should reduce sediment delivery to the lake by 2336 tons/yr and phosphorus delivery by 3038 lbs. /yr.

The district was recently notified that they have received another grant for $143,145 from the WIRB. If landowners in the watershed are interested in applying conservation practices such as terraces, grassed waterways, water & sediment control basins or grade stabilization structures, please stop by the NRCS/SWCD office at 904 E. Taylor and talk to us about it. For more information, you can call the office at (641) 782-4218 ext. 3.

Poster contest

By Vicki Allen Commissioner

Each year the Union County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) along with Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) and Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, sponsor a poster contest. The contest is open to all students K12th grade.

Posters submitted for the contest are first judged at the local level and the winners are forwarded on for regional competition. Post-

ers winning the regional competition are then forwarded on for state competition.

The theme for 2014 was “Dig Deeper – Mysteries in the Soil” Local poster winners in the 6th grade category were: Danika Schultes, first place, and Hannah Walsh, 2nd place. Morgan Eblen had the first place poster in the 7th & 8th grade category and Bailey Hopkins 2nd place. All are students at St. Malachy School in Creston. Eblen’s poster was also a regional and state

By Vicki Allen Commissioner

The Union County Soil & Water Conservation District and the Conservation Districts of Iowa are s p o n s o r - Baker ing scholarships for senior again this year who are pursuing their education in the field of agri-

culture, natural resources or environmental issues.

Applications are available at each school or at the NRCS office at 904 E Taylor in Creston. Applications need to be returned to the District office by January 30th . One application may be chosen to be sent into regional competition for the Conservation District of Iowa Scholarships.

The Union County SWCD scholarship will be awarded to eligible seniors that live in Union County or attend Creston or East Union Schools.

Selection is made based on school activities, organizations and community involvement.

The 2014 Union County Scholarship recipient was Adam Baker a graduate of Creston Community Schools.

Adam is the son of Roger and Melissa Baker of rural Creston. While in high school Adam was on the football, wrestling and track teams. He was also very active in 4H and FFA. Adam is currently a student at Iowa State University.

the poster contest rules and deadlines please go to the Conservation Districts of Iowa web site or call Dixie at the NRCS office in Creston at 782-4218 ext. 3.

Mogan Eblen

Danika Schultes

SWCD Scholarship

winner and went on to be judged at the national level.

The theme for 2015 is “Local Heros- Your Hardworking Pollinators”.

For more information on

Proper land use decisions

By Rick Sprague Area 4 Grassland Specialist

We are all aware of the hundreds of acres of pasture that has been converted to corn and soybean production in the last few years when commodity prices reached their highs. Cows we sold even herds liquidated to farm the marginal hills of southern Iowa. According to USDA 2012 Census of Agriculture, approximately 21% of Iowa’s pastureland was converted to

cropland from 2007 to 2012, the second consecutive reduction in pastureland since 2002. Iowa has lost around 605,000 of pasture. Recent grain prices have accelerated the rate of land use conversion since 2012.

Corn, soybeans and cattle prices are cyclical and with the recent drop in grain prices and cattle prices at record highs there may be a reason to rethink the question “how can I make the most money per acre from my marginal

land”.

Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee, NRCS and ISU are developing a tool which will be housed on the ISU Ag Decision Maker site that will help land managers answer economic and conservation question. The tool will calculate, input costs, potential yields or stalking rates, market prices and conservation practices to compare the net profit per acre for crops or cattle and should be posted later this summer.

Page 8c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District

North Thompson River Water Quality Project Adair, Madison, and Union SWCD’s By: Phil Patterson, Project Coordinator

Fiscal Year 15 (FY15) was the 11th year of the North Thompson Water Quality Project which is primarily funded by the Iowa Department of Agriculture/Division of Soil Conservation with Watershed Protection Funds (WSPF). It is also supplemented by a number of other Iowa Department of Ag and USDA funding sources.

The North Thompson River Watershed includes 111,600 acres located in Adair, Madison, and Union Counties with primary resource concerns of degraded water quality

caused by sediment and nutrients entering the North Thompson River. In FY15 the watershed originally received $176,858.19 WSPF funding. The funding is continually being supplemented by numerous other fund sources from the DSC and multiple federal funded programs through the NRCS. At this time a total of 12 applications are approved for funding to construct 5 grade stabilization structures, 13,000 feet of terraces, 1.3 acres of grass waterways and 2 water and sediment basins. When these practices are completed they will be keeping another 3,925 tons of sediment from

reaching the North Thompson River per year.

There continues to be positive interest in the North Thompson with several quality projects yet to construct this fiscal year. Let’s hope time, weather and funding allow us to complete them.

The watershed was originally divided into 34 sub-watersheds throughout the three counties and prioritized using soil loss calculations to determine the most critical subwatersheds to begin work.

To date the sub-watersheds eligible for cost share have been in Adair and Madison Counties but we are glad to announce that five new sub-

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watersheds in Union County were added in FY13. The map above shows the total watershed with the shaded ones being eligible for cost share at this time. The entire watershed will be eligible for cost share in the future as the goals are obtained and more sub-watersheds are prioritized.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the North Thompson Project, contact your local NRCS office or: Phil Patterson IDALS/DSC Project Coordinator North Thompson River Water Quality Project

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Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015 — Page 9c

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation...Your Farm, Your Plan Visit us at our new location on the east edge of Creston 1670 US Highway 34, Creston, IA

Jamie Carpenter Assistant State Conservationist (FO)

Although the 1996 Farm Bill introduced conservation financial assistance programs to the list of services that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service provides, long before then – since 1935 during the Dust Bowl to be exact – and still today, the agency’s focus is providing free conservation planning assistance to Iowa’s farmers and ranchers.

NRCS has at least one office in every Iowa county, located at USDA Service Centers. With conveniently located offices comes local knowledge of local resource concerns. NRCS employs soil conservationists, engineers, biologists, and even specialists in grasslands and wetlands, to assist landowners through the conservation planning process.

NRCS’s number one priority is to provide high quality technical assistance through conservation planning that effectively addresses resource concerns on the landscape.

What is a Conservation Plan?

Commercial • Residential

A conservation plan is a record of a client’s decision(s) in managing the natural resources on the land. Conservation planning is the first step in managing all natural resources on your farm.

Conservation plans are the basis for all assistance NRCS provides to clients and the basic tool for clients to manage their natural resources to attain sustainable use and sound management of soil, water, air, plant, animal, energy, and human resources.

To protect these resources, NRCS works one-on-one with landowners to plan and install conservation practices to reduce soil erosion; improve soil health and air and water quality; create and restore wetlands; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; improve pasture and woodlands; and reduce flooding, all while

considering the client’s economic and social needs.

The greatest value comes by having the client engaged in every step of the planning process to combine experienced farming skills with NRCS science-based knowledge. Through participation, the client develops an understanding of the natural resource issues, interactions, and treatments necessary for resource sustainability. Like any good plan, a conservation plan can be revised as needed by the client to ensure it is still aligned with their operational, economic and social needs.

To initiate the conservation planning process, call or visit your local NRCS office [insert local contact information here] to schedule an appointment with a NRCS planner to visit your farm.

Wayde Ross resigns

Wayde Ross, District Conservationist for the Ringgold/Union NRCS Management Unit has accepted a position with Agriland FS Inc. as an Agronomy/Sales person at the Orient, Iowa plant. Ross has been District Conservationist in Ringgold

County for almost 23 years.

Ross has been District Conservationist for the Ringgold/Union Management Unit since October, 2012.

Ross has assisted producers with implementing conservation plans to reduce soil erosion and provided overall

program management for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Ringgold and Union Counties Soil and Water Conservation Districts. His last day with the USDA Service Center NRCS offices will be February 13th.

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Seed: Turf Grass for Home Lawns, Athletic Fields, Golf Courses or Parks Conservation Including Waterway Mixtures, Buffer Strip Mixes, Firebreak Mixtures, CRP Mixtures for New Establishment & CRP Enhancement, & Levee Mixtures Wetland Seed, Cover Crops, Forage & Pasture Mix, Wildlife Mix also Available Erosion Control Products: Variety of Erosion Control Blankets, Silt Fence, Wattles, Straw Logs

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Page 10c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Maintenance Soil health

Bill Bolinger

Soil Conservation Technician

With spring around the corner, it is almost time to get the planters and tractors out of the shed and put them back to work. Before you head to the field with the disk or field cultivator, you need to review your conservation plan to see whether or not tillage is allowable. Your conservation plan will define what type of tillage, how much residue is required, and when/if tillage can be applied. Your conservation plan will also highlight the required waterways, field borders, and the row pattern at which anhydrous should be applied and the required row pattern when planting such as contouring or cross slope.

While it is still wet and conditions are not fit to be in the field, now would be a great time to hop onto your UTV or 4 wheeler and drive your farm to take note of issues that need to be addressed such as: tile blow outs, terrace breaks, waterway shaping, seeding, or installing headlands along fences or steep slopes.

Critical area seeding such as terrace slopes, waterways, and headlands are especial-

Thank You Farmers!

ly important as these areas are prone to erosion. Pay special attention to siltation in terraces. Silt should be removed so the terrace will have adequate holding capacity when the snow melts and the spring rains arrive.

In most cases, there will be 3’-4’ of exposed intake when the silt is removed from the terrace.

If additional seeding is needed on terraces, waterways, or headlands, a mix of brome, orchard grass, and timothy will develop into a good erosion resistant sod. Broadcast or drill the grass seed at the rate of 25 pounds/acre with 1-2 bushels of oats or rye as a temporary cover crop. Now is a great time to broadcast some extra seed onto those areas. Most waterways in this area should be seeded to a width of 30’ and should have a depth of 1’. As planters and implements become wider, headlands along fences and steeper slopes will need to be widened to allow ample room to turn around on. Generally speaking, a headland should be a minimum of 60’ wide, but may need to be 90’ to accommodate today’s larger equipment. Headlands should be widened to ensure that additional end rows parallel

to the headland are eliminated. When planting or applying anhydrous ammonia, contoured row patterns will greatly reduce erosion in the event of heavy rain falls. Almost all fields, if determined to be HEL(Highly Erodible Land) in your conservation plan, are required to have planting and anhydrous performed on the contour. This simply means to go around the hill instead of straight up and down the hill. Some of the most notable erosion last fall was due to anhydrous application, sprayer tracks outlining waterways, or from planter markers leaving a trench for which water to follow.

Using GPS Technology instead of planter markers while planting can eliminate marker trenches.

When planting or applying anhydrous, it is best to leave the implement in the ground when crossing waterways as if they don’t exist. This will help to eliminate end rows up and down the waterway which cause gullies along both sides of waterway.

Adhering to your conservation plan is not only good stewardship, but will also help to ensure that you leave the land better than you found it for generations to come.

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By Jim Walsh

NRCS Soil Conservation Technician

Soil works for you if you work for the soil by using management practices that improve health and increase productivity and profitability immediately and into the future. A fully functioning soil produces the maximum amount of products at the least cost. Maximizing soil health is essential to maximizing profitability.

Soil disturbance can be the

result of tillage, which results in bare and compacted soils, in which you have more erosion and runoff and less microbial activity. Misapplication of farm inputs can disrupt the relationship between microorganisms and plant roots. All forms of soil disturbance diminish habitat for soil microbes and result in a diminished soil food web.

Soil cover conserves moisture, reduces temperature, and intercepts raindrops to

reduce their destructive impact. Keeping the soil covered while allowing the crop residue to decompose, so their nutrients can be cycled back into the soil.

A diverse and fully functioning soil food web provides for nutrient, energy, and water cycling. Increasing the diversity of a crop rotation, no-till, cover crops increases soil health and soil function. in return helps reduce input costs, and increases profitability.

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Page 12c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, February 20, 2015

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District Farming into the future

By Amanda McNees,

NRCS Soil Conservationist

A key question facing agriculture is whether it will be possible to feed a growing global population in the future. Often it is simply assumed that resources necessary for increased food production will be just as available as they are today.

Top soil is already almost half way depleted from wind and water erosion within the past 150 years in most counties across the state of Iowa.

Also scientists estimate that with the expected increase in food and energy consumption of the growing world population, today’s economically phosphorus fer-

tilizer (P) resources will be depleted within 75 years.

Adoption and McNees promotion of precision technologies and conservation practices working side by side are going to be key items to the success of farming into the future. A conservation practice that comes with many benefits is a long term no-till row crop system. The first few years you are establishing a notill system you will see an increase in organic matter and the amount of biological

activity. As the organic matter and biological activity increases, the benefits of a notill system will be realized.

Crop residue becomes an important benefit in a no till system. Soil Ph, potassium (K), and soil organic matter decreases when residue is removed. Residue also protects the soil surface when a raindrop hits, the energy being dispersed by the residue.

Without the residue, the rain drop hits bare soil and causes soil particles to become suspended in the drop.

In addition, higher infiltration rates result in less runoff during storms and reduced affects on plants during dry spells. When runoff does occur in a long term no till

Private lands habitat specialist joins staff Hello, my name is Kaly Adkins and I have recently started a DNR AmeriC o r p s position Adkins serving Madison and Union counties as a Private Lands Habitat Specialist. I’m thrilled to be coming back to my roots to help promote conservation on privately owned lands. Growing up outside of Earlham, Iowa, I spent my childhood enjoying all the wild places I could find throughout Madison and the surrounding counties.

After my graduation from

Earlham High School, I continued my education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa studying biology and environmental studies. Throughout my college education and a variety of internships with the Bureau of Land Management, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, I was able to study wildlife ecology and management in a variety of situations ranging from the savannas of the African Serengeti to remnant and reconstructed prairies throughout the entire Midwest. I have returned to the area where I grew up to serve as a resource to private land owners and increase awareness

of financial assistance programs available, including CRP and other state and federal funding opportunities. My focus will be on private land around public areas and priority watersheds. However, I will be willing to assist any interested landowners throughout my assigned counties.

As an avid outdoorswoman, I would also love to discuss any questions you may have on Iowa’s varied wildlife and their specific habitat requirements. I will be sharing time at the NRCS offices in both Winterset and Creston, so please feel free to contact me through a visit, phone call (641) 7824218 Ext.3, or email kaly. adkins@ia.nacdnet.net .

system, it carries less soil because the soil organisms bind particles together so soil is not as easily picked up by moving water. Ecologically, soil quality and soil life improve, which economically, allows for a good sustainable cropping system to continue into the future with fewer trips over the field, which saves fuel, time, and money.

There is a great importance in using multiple conservation practices to work together to build and maintain a healthy soil. Practices such as no-till, conservation tillage, contouring, tiling, terracing, grass waterways, the use of cover crops, and many more practices will assist in conserving our soil for future

generations.

Precision agriculture technology has allowed producers to be better managers and be able to take advantage of the maximized production and profit, while still being good conservation stewards. GPS, yield mapping, variable-rate applications of seed, fertilizers, crop fungicides and herbicides are some of the few technologies that allow producers to bet-

ter allocate resources, while minimizing materials and energy and while maximizing production and profit. A big concern in fields are compaction, with up to 80% of soil compaction happening with in the first pass through the field, better equipment technology is also becoming more and more important to soil health.

Sustainable agriculture will require using multiple conservation practices and precision technologies not only to continue to keep up with the world’s demands, but also to be efficient, profitable, and maintain healthy soil that will keep up with production demands into the future.

Are you ready

for Spring?

Creston • Corning • Diagonal • Lenox

Member FDIC